Honorable Minister of Ports,
Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka said he had given to time to
the new board of directors of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to present their
plans on the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) project and the development of
other key ports.

Speaking to the media
at the Colombo Port today after a brief observation tour last morning (7), the Hon.
Minister said he also expected a report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
on the matter.

“I would make
final decisions on the ECT and other important matters concerning the ports
sector after studying these two reports. This, however, will not take a long
time. The new board of directors will work expeditiously on the matter,” Hon.
Minister said responding to media queries on the future of the ECT project.

“These are our
national assets and we have to develop them fast in a manner that benefits the
country’s economy, ” Hon. Minister said laying out his general policy on the
project that sparked controversy during the latter part of the pre-October 26
government.

The government has
expressed plans to develop the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT) to
be the largest and deepest container terminal in South Asia. However, the
specifics of its implementation of this project are yet to be finalized.

He also added that the
Sri Lanka Ports Authority would work with a results-oriented approach and work
towards maximizing profits. “The Ports Authority does not rely on the
Treasury for money. It generates revenue and pays tax to the Treasury while
abiding by the government policy and procurement process.”